Self balancing window control



P 23, 1958 w. HOWARTH SELF BALANCING wmnow CONTROL 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 3, 1 958 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 23, 1958 w. HOWARTH SELF BALANCING WIND OW CONTROL 2 R a o m 4 m 4 3 E S V a a m m I. s 2 2 m g 4/ 1 i .2 5 2 M WWH M E g M. 4 M M Filed Feb. 3, 1958 United States Patent Office 2,852,817. Patented Sept. 23, 1958 This invention relates to a window control, and has for an object to provide an improved control for a vertically slidable window sash which is self-balancing inthat it automatically locks to hold the sash in any given position by the weight of the sash but is easily released to permit shifting of the sash.

Another object is to provide a self-locking control of this type which will automatically lock both the upper and lower sashes without requiring any sash lock between them.

Another object is to provide a control in which either sash may be raised to any desired height, and is locked in this position automatically, and the top sash may be lowered to any desired position for ventilating purposes and will be automatically locked in this position.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, I have devised the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification. It is, however, to be understood the invention is not limited to the specific details of construction and arrangement shown, but may embody various changes and modifications within the scope of the invention.

In these drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a window including a frame and upper and lower vertically movable sashes mounted in this frame;

Fig. 2 is a vertical section thereof substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a view looking toward the guides for the sash in the frame and on a larger scale, the sash being removed;

Fig. 4 is a detail section substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar section substantially on line 5-5 of Fig. 3, the lower part of the frame and sash being shown in elevation, but with parts broken away to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 6 is a detail section substantially on line 6-6 of Fig. 3; r

Fig. 7 is a view of the mounting for the locking means and means for releasing it;

Fig. 8 is a front view of a portion of the guide member for the edge of the sash showing the locking means therein;

Fig. 9 is a transverse section substantially on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a section ofone means for mounting the guide;

Fig. 11. is a detail section of a portion of the guide strip with the locking means in elevation and in the released position, the parts being shown on a larger scale;

Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 showing the locking means in the locked position;

Fig. 13 is a plan View of the locking means;

Fig. 14 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 15 is a side view of the pivotal support for the locking means;

Fig. 16 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 17 is a plan view of the means for releasing the locking means;

Fig. 18 is an edge view thereof looking toward the bottom of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is a side view of the cover plate and mounting for the release member of Fig. 17;

Fig. 20 is an edge view thereof;

Fig. 21 is a side view of a lock which may be used for the lower sash, and

Fig. 22 is an end view thereof.

The device comprises the usual or any suitable type of window frame 1 having suitable guides for the edges of the vertically movable upper sash 2 and. lower sash 3. As shown in Figs. 3 and 6, this frame has guideway-s for the edges of the sashes including the inner guide strip 4 for the lower sash, the intermediate strip 5 between the two sashes, and the outer strip 6 for the upper sash, thus providing the two guideways between them, guideway 7 for the lower sash and guideway 8 for the upper sash. Mounted in each guideway is an elongated metal strip providing an edge guide for the opposite edges of each sash, that for the lower sash being shown at 9 and that for the upper sash at 10. These may be fiat strips but are preferably channel-shaped with longitudinal flanges 11 and 12 at their opposite edges respectively for greater strength and stiffness, and also so that the opposite edges of these strips are held in position and guided for limited inward and outward movements between the guide strips 4, 5 and 6 of the frame, as shown in Fig. 6. The flanges 11 and 12 are of such height that when in position, and with the sash in position, the free edges of these flanges are spaced a short distance 13 from the bottom of the guideways, as shown in Fig. 6. To permit these strips to yield outwardly on expansion of the sash, springs 14 are provided tending to shift the strips inwardly and hold them against the edges of the sash. In the strip 9 for the lower sash three springs are used, one each at the top and bottom of the strip and an intermediate one at 14a just above the top edge of the lower sash. Similarly, three such springs are used for the guide member 10 for the upper sash, one at each of the top and bottom ends thereof and one at substantially the mid height.

The strips 9 for the opposite edges of the lower sash are each provided with a longitudinal slot 15 extending upwardly from the lower end thereof to a position above the top edge of the lower sash when this sash is in its lower position, and the strips 10 for the opposite edges of the upper sash are each provided with a similar slot 16 extending downwardly from its upper end to a point somewhat below the lower edge of the upper sash when this sash is in its upper position. Each sash is provided with locking means at its opposite edges extending into these slots and cooperating therewith to lock the respective sashes at different heights. Thus, the lower sash is provided in each of its opposite edges adjacent its lower end with a recess 17 (Fig. 5) opening through the edge of the sash and also through the inner surface thereof where it is covered by a plate 18 secured to the sash. Mounted in this recess is a locking member 19 which is preferably in the form of a flat plate, as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. It is provided adjacent one end with at least one and preferably two transversely extending notches or slots 20 extending inwardly from its opposite edges, to thus provide a transverse end strip 21 connected to the main portion of the member by a narrow neck 22.

This locking member 19 may be inserted in either of the slots 15 and 16 by turning it to a position parallel with the slot, as indicated by the broken lines 19a shown in Fig. 8, and then turning the member to a position at right angles to the slot as shown in full lines, thus bringing p the notches 20 intoa position to embrace the side edges of the slot 15 or 16, as shown in Fig. 9. The notches 20 are somewhat wider than the thickness of the strip 9 or 10, so that this member may take an inclined annular position with respect to the strip, as shown in Figs. and 12, so that when in this position the opposite edges 23 and 24 of these notches grip the opposite surfaces of the strip and securely lock the member 19 against movement in the direction in which this member is inclined. This grip on the strip may be released by lifting the opposite end or main portion of the locking member 19 to a position at substantially right angles to the strips 9 or 10, as shown in Figs. 4 and 11. When in this position the grip on the strip is released and the locking member may be shifted in either direction along the strip. The locking member is pivotally supported in the recess 17 in the sash by a plate 25, which is preferably bevelled at its upper end, as shown at 26, to provide a narrow supporting edge 27 on which the locking member 19 rests, as shown in Fig. 5, and which will permit shifting of the locking member between its released and locking positions.

Means is provided for shifting the locking member 19 from its inclined locked position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 12, to its horizontal or released position as shown in Fig. 11. This comprises an angularly shaped member 28 comprising a lower portion 29 located under the locking member 19, a finger grip 30 spaced above it, and a connecting portion 31. At the junction between the portions 30 and 31 it is provided with guide notches 32 extending inwardly from its opposite edges adapted to embrace the opposite side edges of a vertical slot 33 extending downwardly from the upper edge of the cover plate 18 over the open side of the recess 17 in the sash, as shown in Figs. 5 and 7. This position locates the portion 29 under the locking member 19 and the finger grip 30 extending outwardly from the face of the sash whereby it may be gripped to raise this member and the locking member 19 to its horizontal or released position, the member 28 being guided for this movement by the notches 32 embracing the opposite side edges of the slot 33.

A similar locking means is provided in each of the opposite side edges of the upper sash adjacent the upper end thereof, as shown in Figs. 1 and 4. For this purpose the upper sash is provided with a recess 34 in each side member adjacent its upper end corresponding with the recess 17 in the lower sash, and mounted in each of these recesses is a locking member 19 the same as that used for the lower sash and pivotally mounted on the supporting plate 25, with a release member 28, 29 mounted in the sash and a finger grip 30 projecting from the front face of this upper sash for release of this locking member, the same as described for the lower sash. It is to be understood that these locking members for the upper sash extend through the slots 16 with its notches embracing the opposite edges of this slot. The pivotal supporting plate is provided with a notch or slot 35 extending upwardly from its lower edge through which a mounting screw 36 may be passed to secure this plate to the sash and permit vertical adjustment of it for proper location with respect to the recesses 17 and 34 and the locking member 19 mounted therein.

An independent lock may be provided for the lower sash, and in the arrangement shown comprises an angularly shaped strip 37 having a laterally extending end 38, and on the portion 37 is mounted a finger button 39. This is mounted in a recess 40 in the frame at the inner side of the inner guide strip 4, as shown in Figs. 3, 5 and 6, with the button 39 extending through and projecting fromthe face of the guide strip 4, and with the angular end 38 extending through the slot 15 to a position over the top edge 3a of the lower sash, as shown in Fig. 5, when this sash is in its lower position. It can be released to permit shifting the sash upwardly by merely pushing inwardly on the button 39, which will shift the projecting end 38 from its position over the top edge of the sash and back of the strip 9. A coil spring 41 tends to shift catch outwardly to the, locking position.

In the structures illustrated in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, the springs 14 behind the guide strips 9 and 10 are mounted in recesses or sockets 42 in the frame, but if the frame is a hollow structure, as shown in Fig. 10, comprising spaced members 43 and 44, the corresponding spring, indicated at 45, may be mounted on a shouldered supporting pin 46, resting at its inner end against the member 44 and its reduced portion in an opening 47 in the member 43 on which the spring is supported and tends to shift the strip 9 or 11 outwardly against the edge of the sash, the same as in the first form.

In operation, the locking members 19 operate automatically to lock their respective sashes at any height in the frame. For example, after releasing the locking member 38 the lower sash may be raised to any desired height, this movement carrying with it the locking mem bers 19 in its opposite side edges, the upward movement of the sash automatically shifting the locking members to their released positions. As soon as the lifting pressure on the sash is released it will tend to drop by its own Weight, and the upper edges 48 of the recess 17, which are located outwardly from the supporting top edge 27 for the members 19, will immediately swing these members 19 downwardly to the inclined position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 12, and will cause the opposite edges 23 and 24 of the notches 26 to grip the portions of the strips 9 on the opposite sides of the slot 15 and lock against this strip, thus automatically locking the sash in this position. Thus the lower sash may be raised to any desired position, and as soon as released will automatically lock itself by its own weight in this position against downward movement. If, however, it is desired to lower this sash, all that is necessary is for the operator to raise the release grips 30 which will raise the release member 28 to shift the locking members 19 to their upper horizontal or released position and will permit lowering of the sash.

The same operation for the upper sash is effected by the locking members 19 located in the opposite edges of this sash adjacent its upper end. As the sash is moved to its upper position and released, the weight of the sash will automatically shift the member 19 to its inclined locked position, as shown by the broken lines 1% in Fig. 4, through the top edge 34a of the recess 34 of the sash pressing downwardly on this member. These locking members may be released by lifting release member 28, the same as described in connection with the lower sash, to permit the upper sash to be lowered to any desired position, and on release of this releasing member the upper sash will be automatically locked by its weight in any desired position against further downward movement. This upper sash may therefore be lowered to any desired position for ventilating purposes and will automatically lock itself in this position against further downward movement. Thus either sash may be shifted independently of the other and will automatically lock itself in the position to which it was shifted. Or the lower sash may be raised so that its top edge will engage the release finger grips 30 of the releasing members 28 at the top of the upper sash and raise the locking members 19 to their released positions. Thus, the upper sash will be unlocked by the action of the lower sash, and if the lower sash is lowered or shifted downwardly the upper sash will follow along with it to any desired position, but may be automatically locked in this position by arresting further downward movement of the upper sash and permitting the lower sash to continue its downward movement, and then release of the upper sash will cause its weight to operate its locking members 19 to lock it in this position. The backing springs for the guide strips 9 and 10 at the opposite edges of the two sashes will provide uniform pressure against the edges of the sashes at all times, and will permit these sashes to expand or contract without varying these pressures and without binding of the sashes, so that the two sashes have uniform sliding movement at all times. The normal position of the locking member 19 is inclined, as

shown in Fig. 5, as it is unbalanced on the supporting edge 27 by the greater portion of member 19 being located on the opposite side of the supporting edge 27 from the slotted strip 9 or 10. The locking member is therefore normally in the locking position and any weight from the sash on the top of this member immediately tends to incline it further to cause the opposite edges of the notches 20 to bind and lock on the strip 9 or 10 as the case may be.

Having thus set forth the nature of my invention, I claim:

1. In a window control a vertically movable sash, a guideway for the sash including an upright member provided with a longitudinal slot, a locking member loosely carried by the sash and provided with an end portion extending through the slot and also provided with a notch extending inwardly from one side and embracing the portion of the guide at one side of the slot, said locking member adapted to lock on the guide member when in an inclined angular position with respect to the guide member, and means on the sash for shifting the locking member from its inclined position to release it.

2. In a window control a vertically movable sash, a guideway for the sash including an upright member at the edge of the sash provided with a longitudinal slot, said sash provided with a recess at said edge, a locking member in said recess, a pivotal support for said locking member, said locking member including an outer end portion extending through the slot and provided with at least one notch extending transversely adjacent said end and embracing one side edge of the slot, said locking member adapted to grip and lock onto the guide member when in an inclined angular position relative to said member, and means in said recess and operable from outside the sash to shift the locking member from its inclined locked position to release it and permit movement of the sash.

3. A window control according to claim 1 in which there are springs behind the upright member in the guideway tending to force this member against the edge of the sash.

4. A window control according to claim 2 in which the guideway includes a channel in which the upright member is mounted, the upright member is a channel member with longitudinal flanges at its opposite edges arranged with these flanges spaced a short distance at their free edges from the bottom of the guide channel to permit expansion of the sash, and springs behind the channel member tending to press it against the edge of the sash.

5. In a window control a frame, a vertically movable sash, a guideway for the sash in the frame including an upright elongated member providing a guide for the edge of the sash, springs between said member and the frame tending to hold said member against the sash, said member provided with a longitudinal slot, said sash provided with a recess in its edge adjacent said member, a locking member in the recess comprising a plate having an outer end extending through the slot and a pair of notches extending transversely from its opposite edges embracing the opposite edges of the slot, a pivotal mounting for the locking member, said locking member when in an inclined position relative to the guide member adapted to grip and lock to this member at opposite side edges of the notches and hold the sash against movement, and means in the recess for shifting the locking member to released position to permit movement of the sash.

6. In a window control, a frame, upper and lower vertically movable sashes, guideways in the frame for the side edges of the sashes each including an upright member provided with a longitudinal slot, a locking member carried by the lower sash adjacent its lower end located in the slot at the edge of the sash and adapted when in an inclined position to lock onto the upright member to lock the sash in different positions, means in the sash to release the locking member, a locking member in the upper sash adjacent its upper end located in the slot at the edge of this sash and adapted to lock onto the upright member provided with this slot to lock the upper sash in different vertical positions, and means in the upper sash to release its locking means including a finger grip projecting from the face of the sash in the path of movement of the top edge of the lower sash and adapted to be operated by upward movement of the lower sash to release the lock for the upper sash and permit this sash to follow and move downwardly with the lower sash.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

